Vote-by-Mail at City Hall

California’s Primary Election is Tuesday, June 5. If you’re voting by mail, you may have already received your absentee ballot.

Did you know that you can drop it off in the City Manager/City Clerk’s office at City Hall? Just place it in the secure official Vote-by-Mail ballot box.

Ballots will be picked up on a regular basis by the Solano County Registrar of Voters office until 5 p.m. on Election Day.

One new exciting change this year is that anyone from any other city or county in California may drop their ballot in this box. The Solano County Registrar of Voters will make sure it gets to the appropriate location in a timely manner. The hope is to make voting more convenient for people who work in Benicia, but do not live here.

Not voting absentee? Find info about voter registration, polling places and more on the Registrar’s website at solanocounty.com/depts/rov/. The last day to register to vote in the Primary Election is Monday, May 21.

A Year Later, Industrial Safety Ordinance is on Council’s agenda

By Roger Straw, May 13, 2018

Almost exactly a year ago (on 05/23/17), Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson succeeded in requesting that Council direct staff to agendize future Council discussion of drafting and adopting a community Industrial Safety Ordinance. The Council voted 4-1 to approve and calendar further discussion.This was the first step in Benicia’s cumbersome 2-step process for a Councilmember or Mayor to agendize a new topic.

Well, it has taken a year, but the good news is that this item will finally come up on the June 19, 2018 Council agenda. Mark your calendar and plan to attend! And WRITE! (click here for info on where to write)

Benicia needs an ISO: three important points to be made

By Roger Straw

1. We don’t know what is in the air, and we have asthma rates three times the state average. We need air monitors NOW, and state/regional regulations will be slow in coming.

2. ISO is budget neutral for the City.

3. We need the experts that an ISO will provide, participating as equals at the table reviewing documents and regulations on our behalf.

Vote YES on Proposition 68 – phone banking opportunity

By Ralph Dennis

During its April 10 meeting, Progressive Democrats of Benicia voted to endorse Proposition 68. We are posting the following information in support of Proposition 68 and to provide members with information to share with neighbors, friends, and fellow Benicians and Solano County residents.

We also want to invite you to attend a phone bank which will take place on May 22. Help get out the vote in support of Proposition 68! More info below…

More information…
by Amy Hartman, Greenbelt Alliance, May 2, 2018

Prop. 68 is a general obligation bond that invests $4.1 billion in the coming years to address some of California’s most important water, park, and natural resource needs.

The state legislature passed the California Clean Water & Parks Act (SB5) that authorized this vote last year. Now, every Californian voter will have the opportunity to support Prop. 68 on Election Day: June 5, 2018. Here at Greenbelt Alliance, we urge you to VOTE YES on Prop. 68.

How Does Proposition 68 Help Solano County?

In Solano County Prop. 68 provides at least $400,000 for parks projects—guaranteed.

Solano County and each of the seven cities are eligible for over $1 billion in competitive grants for projects and organizations such as: urban greening and restoration projects, the Solano Land Trust, the Pacific Flyway Center, other nature centers in Solano County, a Solano County Regional Park and Open Space District, and safe parks for underserved communities.

Prop 68 will fuel economic development by creating an estimated 50,000 new labor jobs statewide for infrastructure projects.

Bob Berman, Benicia Resident and Supporter of Prop. 68:

“Of the $4.1 billion total, the bond provides $1.3 billion for parks and recreation projects, most of which would be used to build or improve local parks. Among the many provisions of Proposition 68 each Solano County city will receive a minimum of $200,000, and Solano County is guaranteed at least $400,000 for parks projects. This money can be used for deferred maintenance and/or new parks and water projects. Proposition 68 also designates $218 million to repair and improve State parks desperate for money to pay for deferred maintenance.” – Bob Berman, Benicia

How to Get Involved in the Prop. 68 Campaign?

In the days leading up to Election Day – June 5, 2018 – there are several ways that you can support the campaign.

Attend or host a phone bank or postcard writing get-together. Email Amy Hartman at ahartman@greenbelt.org for more information.

Collect endorsements from your local environmental or conservation group, a neighborhood or community group, your local elected officials, local labor unions, or any other group or community leader that supports investing in safe parks, clean water and funding for projects to address climate change in the Bay Region. Get the endorsement form here

Tell your friends, neighbors, and colleagues about Prop. 68 and encourage them to vote Yes on 68 on June 5th.

Write a letter to your local newspaper encouraging fellow residents to vote YES on 68. Email Amy for assistance.